A Talking Stomach

As a young girl, I carried a lot of tension in school and had little interest in studies. In the middle of that stress, eating junk food (panipuri) felt most comforting. Munching throughout the day kept me temporarily relaxed.

I often skipped breakfast because of anxiety. By lunchtime, my hunger would become extreme, and I would finish my tiffin very quickly. After school, it was fun to eat chips with friends, and again panipuri in the evening. By dinner, I was usually not hungry, partly due to the fear of going to school the next day. This pattern continued for nearly 10 years.

Gradually, my body began showing signs—dry skin, bloating, constipation, and skin allergies. I was completely unaware of the cause.

A few years later, the problem became worse, visible, and uncomfortable. I had to visit a skin specialist. The doctor prescribed ointments and medicines. Within a week, the symptoms disappeared. Thinking the problem was gone, I stopped the treatment. The medicines were also expensive, and the consultation fees consumed all my pocket money.

But within days, the same problem returned. It felt like an endless cycle. No one seemed to know the root cause.

Doctors advised me to drink more water. I often wondered, “How can I drink water if I am not thirsty?”

For quick relief, I kept returning to hospitals—long queues, more medicines. One day, while waiting for my turn, a strange thought crossed my mind: I wish I could get married to a doctor. Years later, I did marry one. I received priority in every department—yet the permanent solution to my skin problems still eluded me. After the birth of my daughter, my condition worsened further due to low immunity and deficiencies—iron, calcium, B12, and others.

I often wondered: despite eating what I believed was good food, why was I still unhealthy?

Morning: toast and tea.
Lunch: dal, vegetables, roti, curd, salad.
Evening: tea and snacks.
Dinner: rice and dal.

I was also unaware that stress was silently worsening my physical health. Whenever I could not deal with inner discomfort, I preferred to munch and watch movies.

Years later, I began experiencing chest pain, a chronic cold, and a cough. My daughter insisted I see a doctor, but I was reluctant. I did not want strong medicines, and I was unsure which specialist to consult.

After searching for my symptoms, I learned it could be hyperacidity and visited a gastroenterologist. The doctor advised an endoscopy. Because cancer was suspected, I had to proceed.

The next day, my sister accompanied me. I surprised myself by how calmly I handled the procedure, while my sister nearly fainted watching me. The reports came back negative, and later we laughed about her reaction.

The diagnosis was a stomach ulcer. The doctor prescribed antacids and antibiotics. After completing the antibiotic course, I made an inner decision: I did not want to remain dependent on medicines. I wanted to understand the root cause.

After exploring many possibilities, I began to understand how my body functions. Yet many times I still felt back at zero—standing again at the starting point, wondering where I had gone wrong.

Principally, I understood a few things:

• Eat warm, cooked breakfast at a fixed time
• Drink about 2 liters of water gradually throughout the day
• Include fruits in the afternoon
• Lunch should include cooked food, vegetables, dal, and curd
• Evening tea with homemade snacks
• Dinner light but cooked

Yet the deeper details are vast—
which oil, which seeds, which flour,
which probiotic source,
which vegetables and fruits,
What type of milk, what type of protein?

Gradually, I saw something more fundamental:

The root of many health problems is inner restlessness—anxiety, boredom, depression, and uncontrolled cravings. Food choices alone cannot resolve what is disturbed within.

Ayurveda, to me, holds deeply scientific wisdom. I am still learning. I have not achieved anything big yet—but I am sincerely observing. I am fifty. Yes, I may look younger, but my body continues to give me signals to work more deeply.

Major health problems rarely appear overnight. Nature is patient and forgiving. But if we ignore the signals for years, larger issues emerge. The body is always communicating.

Medical science is a boon when used intelligently. It provides accurate diagnosis and critical support in emergencies.

After breath, our next most important intake is food and water.

---

🌿 The Food We Take

Food is often underestimated—
what we eat, when we eat,
and how it is prepared.

It nourishes not only the body
but quietly shapes the mind.

One who walks a spiritual path
often chooses to cook for oneself—
for then one can honestly see:

Am I eating restlessness—
or nectar?